Vikes get a CB with Jeff Gladney

The Minnesota Vikings, after trading down, took TCU cornerback Jeff Gladney 31st overall. That makes it six cornerbacks and six wide receivers in the first round.

By Mark Maske

April 24, 2020 at 12:09 AM EDT

Dolphins go CB with third first-rounder, Noah Igbinoghene

The Miami Dolphins focused on offense with the first two of their three opening-round picks, taking quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and offensive tackle Austin Jackson.

They turned to the defense with their third first-rounder but made a bit of a puzzling choice by taking Auburn cornerback Noah Igbinoghene. He’s a converted wide receiver and his parents were both Olympians.

He’s a promising player. But the Dolphins have Byron Jones and Xavien Howard at cornerback. They add to a strength. Did they have the luxury of doing that?

By Mark Maske

April 23, 2020 at 11:57 PM EDT

Titans focus on O-line with Isaiah Wilson

The Tennessee Titans addressed their offensive line with the 29th pick by taking Georgia’s Isaiah Wilson.

Wilson could be a right tackle candidate for the Titans after they lost Jack Conklin in free agency. He also could end up playing guard.

Wilson is the seventh offensive lineman taken in the opening round.

By Mark Maske

April 23, 2020 at 11:47 PM EDT

Ravens add to defense with Patrick Queen pick

The Baltimore Ravens added to their defense earlier this offseason by trading for one lineman, Calais Campbell, and signing another, Derek Wolfe, in free agency.

They continued that trend in the first round by drafting LSU linebacker Patrick Queen with the 28th selection.

Queen seems to fit in perfectly on the Baltimore defense. This is a good move by a team that almost always drafts well.

By Mark Maske

April 23, 2020 at 11:41 PM EDT

LB Jordyn Brooks to Seattle

Texas Tech linebacker Jordyn Brooks was taken 27th overall by the Seattle Seahawks.

Brooks is described as a sure tackler and a very solid player. But this might have been a little bit of a reach for the Seahawks, with Brooks having been expected to go Friday on the draft’s second night.

By Mark Maske

April 23, 2020 at 11:33 PM EDT

In a stunner, Packers trade up to take QB Jordan Love

The Green Bay Packers once drafted Aaron Rodgers with Brett Favre still on their roster. That made for some tense times and an unceremonious exit by Favre from Green Bay.

Now, with Rodgers on the roster and the Packers coming off an appearance in the NFC championship game, Green Bay has traded up in the opening round of the NFL draft to choose Utah State quarterback Jordan Love 26th overall.

It’s a fairly stunning and highly provocative move. Rodgers is 36, one year older than Favre was when the Packers drafted Rodgers 24th overall in 2005. The Packers could have used their first-round pick to strengthen the roster around Rodgers in hopes that he would take them to another Super Bowl. Instead, they’ve used it to take the quarterback who eventually could replace him.

By Mark Maske

April 23, 2020 at 11:24 PM EDT

49ers get their WR by trading up for Brandon Aiyuk

The San Francisco 49ers traded up six spots, from 31st to 25th, to get Arizona State wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.

Aiyuk becomes the sixth wide receiver taken in the opening round, ahead of Tee Higgins and Denzel Mims.

The 49ers went defense earlier in the first round when they took defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw. That pick came with wideouts Jerry Jeudy and CeeDee Lamb available. Now they trade up with the Minnesota Vikings to get their wideout. Aiyuk must be productive, however, for this to work for the Niners.

By Mark Maske

April 23, 2020 at 11:16 PM EDT

Saints address interior O-line with Cesar Ruiz

Michigan center Cesar Ruiz went to the New Orleans Saints with the 24th selection.

Ruiz could play guard or center for the Saints and was regarded as the top interior offensive lineman in the draft class. He is the sixth offensive lineman taken after the five offensive tackles who came off the board earlier.

It isn’t a glamorous pick but it fortifies the middle of quarterback Drew Brees’s offensive line.

By Mark Maske

April 23, 2020 at 11:15 PM EDT

Chargers use pick from Patriots on LB Kenneth Murray

The Los Angeles Chargers used the 23rd overall choice obtained from the New England Patriots on Oklahoma linebacker Kenneth Murray.

The Chargers sent second- and third- round picks to the Patriots in the trade. They get Murray, who is well regarded and well worth a late first-rounder, to bolster their defense after taking quarterback Justin Herbert sixth overall.

By Mark Maske

April 23, 2020 at 11:09 PM EDT

Patriots opt against Jordan Love, trade down

The New England Patriots had a chance to take Utah State quarterback Jordan Love with the 23rd pick. They opted against it.

Coach Bill Belichick loves to trade down in the draft. He did it again, sending the 23rd selection to the Los Angeles Chargers. The Patriots traded out of the first round entirely and added second- and third-round choices, giving them 13 selections overall.

They still could select a quarterback. But for now, Belichick’s options to replace Tom Brady remain limited to Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer.

By Mark Maske

April 23, 2020 at 11:03 PM EDT

Vikings add Justin Jefferson as Stefon Diggs replacement

The Minnesota Vikings traded Stefon Diggs to the Buffalo Bills this offseason. They have replaced him, they hope, by taking LSU wide receiver Justin Jefferson with the 22nd selection.

Jefferson is coming off a magnificent season catching passes from Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Joe Burrow at LSU. Now he joins Adam Thielen among Kirk Cousins’s wideouts in the Twin Cities.

He is the fifth wide receiver chosen in the first round after Henry Ruggs, Jerry Jeudy, CeeDee Lamb and Jalen Reagor.

By Mark Maske

April 23, 2020 at 10:55 PM EDT

Eagles get their WR, but was Jalen Reagor the right choice?

The Philadelphia Eagles got some wide receiver help for quarterback Carson Wentz by selecting TCU’s Jalen Reagor with the 21st choice.

It had been widely assumed that the Eagles would opt for a receiver. They picked Reagor ahead of Clemson’s Tee Higgins, LSU’s Justin Jefferson and Baylor’s Denzel Mims.

It can be debated whether the Eagles took the right wideout. But it’s unarguable that they addressed a position of great need.

By Mark Maske

April 23, 2020 at 10:50 PM EDT

Jags get pass-rush help with K’Lavon Chaisson

The No. 2 pass rusher in this draft class is off the board, with the Jacksonville Jaguars taking LSU’s K’Lavon Chaisson with the 20th pick.

The Jaguars have dismantled their once-mighty defense, and the choice of Chaisson makes sense with Calais Campbell gone and Yannick Ngakoue in a public feud with the team’s management.

There is more work to be done, but Chaisson certainly was worthy of this pick.

By Mark Maske

April 23, 2020 at 10:44 PM EDT

Raiders surprise with choice of CB Damon Arnette

The Las Vegas Raiders’ second pick of the opening round was a bit puzzling. The Raiders took Ohio State cornerback Damon Arnette with the 19th overall choice.

Arnette becomes the fourth cornerback taken and the second from Ohio State, following Jeff Okudah. Few draft analysts had him projected as a mid-first-rounder. There were far safer options available for General Manager Mike Mayock and Coach Jon Gruden, so this becomes a reputation-testing move as they attempt to get the Raiders back to contender status.

By Mark Maske

April 23, 2020 at 10:36 PM EDT

Dolphins bolster offensive line with Austin Jackson

Before announcing the Miami Dolphins’ second pick of the opening round, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell could be heard saying on the draft broadcast: “We’ve got good news for Tua.”

Indeed, the Dolphins fortified their offensive line for their new quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, by using the 18th overall selection on USC offensive tackle Austin Jackson. This was the choice that the Dolphins got from the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Minkah Fitzpatrick trade.

The Dolphins traded left tackle Laremy Tunsil as part of last season’s roster dismantling. They took a chance with the No. 5 pick by selecting Tagovailoa, and bolstering his offensive line was an absolute necessity.

By Mark Maske

April 23, 2020 at 10:28 PM EDT

WR CeeDee Lamb falls to the Cowboys

Many had projected that the Dallas Cowboys, after losing Byron Jones in free agency, would take a cornerback in the opening round. But things can change as a draft unfolds, and the Cowboys took full advantage of the mini-drop of CeeDee Lamb and chose the Oklahoma wide receiver with the 17th selection.

Lamb became the third wideout taken after the Alabama duo of Henry Ruggs and Jerry Jeudy. Several analysts had spoken of Lamb and Jeudy vying to be the No. 1 receiver available.

The Cowboys re-signed wide receiver Amari Cooper after using their franchise tag to keep quarterback Dak Prescott off the free agent market. Prescott now has a formidable group of wideouts as the Cowboys attempt to rebound under their new coach, Mike McCarthy. Still, this was a luxury pick based on the best player available, and the glaring needs on defense remain.

By Mark Maske

April 23, 2020 at 10:19 PM EDT

Falcons address CB with A.J. Terrell

The Atlanta Falcons needed a cornerback after losing veteran Desmond Trufant this offseason. They play in a division, after all, that now includes Tom Brady and Teddy Bridgewater, as well as Drew Brees.

The Falcons addressed that need by taking Clemson’s A.J. Terrell.

Terrell becomes the third cornerback off the board after Jeff Okudah and C.J. Henderson. That’s pretty much as expected, and this was an understandable pick.

By Mark Maske

April 23, 2020 at 10:12 PM EDT

Broncos get lucky with Jerry Jeudy falling to No. 15

Many expected the Denver Broncos to take a wide receiver in the first round of this NFL draft. Few expected them to have a chance to get Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy unless they traded up.

But John Elway stayed put and got lucky when Jeudy fell to the Broncos at No. 15 overall. Jeudy becomes the second wide receiver taken, after teammate Henry Ruggs. Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb remains on the board.

Elway, with this pick, has given second-year quarterback Drew Lock an improved chance at success in Lock’s first full season as an NFL starter.

By Mark Maske

April 23, 2020 at 10:07 PM EDT

49ers opt for Javon Kinlaw, not a WR, after trading down one spot

That was a bit of a surprise by the San Francisco 49ers, who traded back a spot and had their choice of wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and Jerry Jeudy. Instead, they went with South Carolina defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw.

The Niners love to use early picks on defensive linemen, and now they have Kinlaw to replace the traded DeForest Buckner. This is the pick (before the trade) that the 49ers got from the Indianapolis Colts in the Buckner trade.

It’s difficult to question the Niners’ brain trust of General Manager John Lynch and Coach Kyle Shanahan after last season’s Super Bowl appearance. Kinlaw is a great story and a terrific player. Still, if Lamb and Jeudy become NFL standouts, there will be room to wonder if the Niners should have taken a wideout with this choice.

By Mark Maske

April 23, 2020 at 9:55 PM EDT

Bucs trade up a spot for Tristan Wirfs, bolstering Tom Brady’s O-line

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers continue to retool their offense for their new quarterback, Tom Brady. They traded up a spot in the first-round order to get Iowa offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs 13th overall.

The Buccaneers traded this week for tight end Rob Gronkowski, Brady’s teammate in New England for three of his six Super Bowl titles with the Patriots, and now they address Brady’s offensive line.

This pick makes plenty of sense with Brady about to turn 43. He has an abundance of playmakers around him on the Tampa offense, and now his offensive line has been fortified. Wirfs became the fourth offensive tackle taken in the draft’s first 13 choices. The Buccaneers made the trade with the San Francisco 49ers, who moved down a spot to 14th.

By Mark Maske

April 23, 2020 at 9:48 PM EDT

Raiders make Henry Ruggs III, not Jerry Jeudy or CeeDee Lamb, the first WR taken

The expected run on wide receivers might be under way. The Las Vegas Raiders selected Alabama wideout Henry Ruggs III with the 12th choice.

Ruggs became the first receiver taken in this draft, surprisingly ahead of Alabama teammate Jerry Jeudy and Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb.

The Raiders certainly needed a wide receiver after last season’s failed attempt to bring in Antonio Brown.

By Mark Maske

April 23, 2020 at 9:42 PM EDT

Jets get Mekhi Becton, making it three offensive tackles in 11 picks

The New York Jets made moves in free agency to upgrade their offensive line, and they continued that rebuild by using the 11th pick on Louisville offensive tackle Mekhi Becton.

That makes three offensive tackles off the board in the draft’s first 11 choices. Becton is big and athletic. He’s well worth this pick, although the Jets had to weigh the importance of a report by the NFL Network that Becton had a drug test “flagged” at the scouting combine.

There have been no trades yet. The expected run on wide receivers hasn’t begun yet but that could happen soon, with the Las Vegas Raiders up next.

By Mark Maske

April 23, 2020 at 9:35 PM EDT

CJ Henderson goes ninth to Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars have two first-round picks in this draft because of their trade of cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the Los Angeles Rams. They attempted to fill that void in the secondary by selecting Florida cornerback CJ Henderson ninth overall.

Henderson is the second cornerback taken, after Jeff Okudah. He is considered excellent in coverage and much will be expected from him to anchor a secondary that also will be without cornerback A.J. Bouye.

That could take the Browns out of the running to trade for Trent Williams, the former Pro Bowl left tackle for the Washington Redskins.

The Browns signed right tackle Jack Conklin in free agency and now have taken major strides toward fortifying their offensive line for quarterback Baker Mayfield. Wills becomes the second offensive tackle taken after Georgia’s Andrew Thomas, ahead of Louisville’s Mekhi Becton and Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs.

By Mark Maske

April 23, 2020 at 9:24 PM EDT

Cardinals go with Isaiah Simmons rather than an offensive tackle

Simmons is an extremely talented and versatile player who can line up at linebacker or in the secondary. He can rush the passer. He is being called a positionless player who will help to redefine how NFL defense is played, and he certainly was worthy of a top-10 selection.

But the Cardinals need help on their offensive line for their second-year quarterback, Kyler Murray. Offensive tackles Tristan Wirfs, Mekhi Becton and Jedrick Wills remain available. If Murray has issues with opposing pass rushes, there will be reason to wonder if the Cardinals should have gone in that direction with this pick.

By Mark Maske

April 23, 2020 at 9:18 PM EDT

Derrick Brown goes seventh to Panthers

The remote NFL draft is going pretty much to form so far. The Carolina Panthers chose Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown with the No. 7 selection.

Brown was regarded as one of the top defenders available and was worthy of this pick. He’ll help the Panthers to rebuild their defense following the retirement of linebacker Luke Kuechly.

By Mark Maske

April 23, 2020 at 9:09 PM EDT

Chargers get Justin Herbert, making it three QBs in six picks

The Los Angeles Chargers addressed their quarterback situation, as so many expected, by taking Oregon’s Justin Herbert with the sixth pick.

Herbert was left for the Chargers after the Miami Dolphins took a chance on Tua Tagovailoa with the No. 5 selection. Some had expected the Chargers to trade ahead of the Dolphins to get Herbert, regarded as the safer option because of Tagovailoa’s injury issues. But it wasn’t necessary.

The Chargers, after parting with Philip Rivers, failed in their bid to land Tom Brady in free agency and opted against adding Cam Newton. They have Tyrod Taylor to serve as a temporary starter while they bring along Herbert, if they wish, or they could go with Herbert as an immediate starter. There have been no trades and three quarterbacks taken in the draft’s first six picks.

By Mark Maske

April 23, 2020 at 9:03 PM EDT

Dophins take a chance on Tua Tagovailoa

The Miami Dolphins have made what could end up being the most intriguing pick of the night. They went with Tua Tagovailoa as their potential franchise quarterback, opting for him over Oregon’s Justin Herbert with the No. 5 choice.

The Dolphins will take the chance that Tagovailoa will make a successful recovery from last season’s hip injury that cut short his final college season at Alabama. He might have been the top overall choice in this draft if not for the injury.

Remember, the Dolphins once chose Daunte Culpepper over Drew Brees in free agency because of concerns about Brees’s shoulder. This time, they don’t pass up a gifted quarterback because of injury concerns.

By Mark Maske

April 23, 2020 at 8:54 PM EDT

No trade for Giants, who opt for Andrew Thomas in mild surprise

So much for the trades that some expected at the top of this draft. The New York Giants kept the fourth pick and used it on Georgia offensive tackle Andrew Thomas.

It’s no surprise that the Giants took an offensive tackle. It’s notable that they opted for Thomas over Mekhi Becton, Tristan Wirfs and Jedrick Wills. Many draft analysts had some or all of those tackles ranked ahead of Thomas.

The Lions and Giants were viewed by many observers entering the draft as prime candidates to trade their picks. It didn’t happen. And now the real intrigue begins with the Miami Dolphins up next for the No. 5 selection, a potential choice between quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert.

By Mark Maske

April 23, 2020 at 8:41 PM EDT

Lions keep third pick, take CB Jeff Okudah

Many believed that the Detroit Lions would trade the No. 3 pick in this NFL draft, perhaps to the Miami Dolphins or another team looking to move up for its preferred quarterback. Instead, the Lions kept the choice and used it to select Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah.

It’s a sensible pick if the Lions didn’t get a trade offer to their liking. They traded standout cornerback Darius Slay earlier this offseason, and Okudah was the clear-cut top cornerback in this draft.

Still, it will be interesting to find out what offers the Lions passed up.

By Mark Maske

April 23, 2020 at 8:38 PM EDT

Joe Burrow says it’s ‘crazy’ that he became the No. 1 pick

Joe Burrow wore a Bengals cap and a Nike-made sweatshirt with his area code of “740” written on it as he spoke to the ESPN and NFL Network telecast from his home in Ohio soon after being chosen by Cincinnati with the top overall pick in the NFL draft.

“To jump up to number one overall is crazy to me,” Burrow said.

Indeed, Burrow came a long way during his final collegiate season at LSU. “This was a sixth-round pick going into the year,” ESPN analyst Mel Kiper said on the combined draft broadcast.

By Mark Maske

April 23, 2020 at 8:35 PM EDT

Redskins get Chase Young with No. 2 pick

The Washington Redskins made it two straight nondramatic moves to open the NFL draft. They did as expected and selected Ohio State pass rusher Chase Young with the No. 2 choice.

The Redskins’ decision was sound, just as the Cincinnati Bengals’ choice of Joe Burrow first overall was wise. Young has the talent to be a game-changing player at a consequential position. The Redskins reportedly weighed at least one serious trade offer, and there had been some speculation early in the draft process that they might consider taking quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

But the new Redskins regime led by Coach Ron Rivera will stick with Dwayne Haskins as its would-be franchise quarterback and now has Young, the DeMatha High product, as a potential Pro Bowl mainstay on defense. The next major issue for Rivera during this draft will be whether to trade left tackle Trent Williams, with the Cleveland Browns and other teams potentially in pursuit.

By Mark Maske

April 23, 2020 at 8:25 PM EDT

No surprise: Bengals take Joe Burrow with first overall pick

The Cincinnati Bengals surprised no one and chose LSU quarterback Joe Burrow with the top overall selection in the NFL draft.

It was the obvious move for the Bengals and the correct one. Burrow is the Heisman Trophy winner and had a historically great season in leading LSU to the national title. He became the clear prize of this draft when fellow quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered a serious hip injury in November. Once Burrow said at the NFL scouting combine that he would play for the Bengals if they chose him, ending speculation that he might attempt to manipulate the draft as John Elway and Eli Manning did, it was clear that this draft would have an anticlimactic beginning.

Bengals owner Mike Brown reportedly wrote to Burrow on Wednesday to inform the quarterback that he would be the pick. Now it’s official. For the Bengals, now it becomes a matter of trying to fortify their team around Burrow and figuring out whether to trade veteran quarterback Andy Dalton for an additional pick or picks.

By Mark Maske

April 23, 2020 at 8:21 PM EDT

Virtual boos for Goodell as draft begins

Just before he officially opened the NFL draft and put the Cincinnati Bengals on the clock, Commissioner Roger Goodell gave fans on a screen behind him a chance to boo him virtually.

‘This is different,’ Roger Goodell says to open NFL draft broadcast

Commissioner Roger Goodell, speaking from his home in Westchester County, N.Y., opened the remote version of the NFL draft. “This is different for us and it’s different for you,” Goodell said, “because it has to be.”

Goodell wore a sports coat and no tie. He stood in front of two screens with NFL Draft 2020 logos. “We will get through this together,” Goodell said. “And when we do, we will be here for you.”

Goodell asked viewers to participate in a moment of silence for victims of the novel coronavirus pandemic. Harry Connick Jr. then performed the national anthem from his home. The joint broadcast between ESPN and the NFL Network began with an acknowledgment of Todd McShay. The ESPN analyst is not participating in the telecast after announcing that he’s home recovering from the coronavirus.

By Mark Maske

April 23, 2020 at 7:51 PM EDT

Joe Burrow to Bengals, Chase Young to Redskins still expected

The remote NFL draft gets underway soon. The Cincinnati Bengals will be on the clock for the first overall pick and still are expected to take LSU quarterback Joe Burrow. There has been persistent talk that the Miami Dolphins, who have the No. 5 choice, are interested in trading up, perhaps all the way to No. 1. But the Bengals so far have held on to the selection and it apparently would take an overwhelming last-minute offer by the Dolphins, who have a trio of first-rounders, to change that. Bengals owner Mike Brown sent Burrow a letter Wednesday saying he looks forward to having his team build around Burrow, ESPN reported, and sent Burrow and his parents Bengals jerseys with the No. 9.

The Washington Redskins remain in line to choose Ohio State pass rusher Chase Young with the No. 2 selection. The Atlanta Falcons have been interested in trading up for the second pick and Young, according to a report by Jay Glazer of Fox Sports. But the Falcons, who have the 16th pick, probably are not able to offer enough.

Some people around the league believe the Redskins will trade left tackle Trent Williams at some point during the draft. But even if that happens, it might not occur until Friday during the second round, and the likelihood of it could depend on how things unfold during the opening round for the Cleveland Browns and other tackle-needy teams. The first-round focus will be on the quarterbacks, offensive tackles and wide receivers. And everyone will have a close eye, of course, on whether there are any glitches with the draft process itself.

By Mark Maske

April 23, 2020 at 7:50 PM EDT

Five teams with multiple first-rounders, six teams with none

There are six teams that enter the draft without first-round picks: the Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams.

There are five teams with multiple first-rounders. The Miami Dolphins have three. The San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings, Las Vegas Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars have two each.

As a refresher, the Dolphins got a first-round pick from the Steelers for Minkah Fitzpatrick and one from the Texans for Laremy Tunsil. The 49ers received their additional first-rounder from the Colts for DeForest Buckner. The Vikings got theirs from the Bills for Stefon Diggs. The Raiders’ additional first-rounder came from the Bears in the Khalil Mack trade, and the Jaguars have the Rams’ pick thanks to the Jalen Ramsey deal.

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